Home › University of South Florida › Theater & Drama

Theater & Drama at University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,732/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (37% exposed)
Job Market Large (78,700 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (6.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #11 of 270 Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Theater & Drama graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $456K $459K $432K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.8x 17.9x 16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.6x 6.6x 6.2x
Probability of Field Employment 36% 33% 27%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,640
Out-of-state: $69,296 (6.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,172
-57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,342
10.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,949
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $24,732/yr, edging above the $21,147 national average for Theater & Drama — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 17.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 37% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,342 debt-to-$24,732 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #11 out of 270 programs, University of South Florida's Theater & Drama program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $24,732 to $35,949 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of South Florida

With a 41% acceptance rate, University of South Florida is moderately selective, serving a student body of 36,299 in Tampa, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Florida →

Top Career Paths

Producers and directors $83,480/yr
Fashion designers $80,690/yr
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
View all 12 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 270 schools offering Theater & Drama →

Theater & Drama at Other Schools

Saint Mary's College of California ($38,160) University of Notre Dame ($37,531) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($36,557) University of South Dakota ($33,852) The University of Texas at Austin ($33,261) Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($33,169) Carnegie Mellon University ($32,967) University of Colorado Boulder ($32,142)

Other Majors at University of South Florida

Computer Engineering ($83,660) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,825) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,879) Chemical Engineering ($70,659) Civil Engineering ($70,047) Mechanical Engineering ($70,046) Industrial Engineering ($69,672) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($61,046)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Theater & Drama trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of South Florida's Theater & Drama program score?
This program scores 30/100 — on the lower end for Theater & Drama. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why does University of South Florida rank so high for Theater & Drama?
The #11 ranking out of 270 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →